Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has publicly declared his support for DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako in the Malava parliamentary race, breaking ranks with President William Ruto’s UDA party. Speaking on Tuesday, Khalwale said his decision was a response to what he termed as the government’s unfair treatment of the family of the late Malava MP, Malulu Injendi.
Khalwale accused President Ruto’s administration of failing to offer the UDA ticket to Malulu’s son, Ryan Injendi, despite doing so for other families of deceased leaders. He cited instances where the late Baringo Senator William Cheptumo’s widow was appointed to a Cabinet position and the late Dalmas Otieno’s wife received a State House job.
“Mr. President, when Malulu died, so did Cheptumo and Dalmas Otieno. You remembered their families, but you forgot Malulu’s. I thought you would let his son serve as MP, but you denied him that chance and gave the ticket to an MCA,” Khalwale stated.
The senator further alleged that a Cabinet Secretary had attempted to interfere with the campaign process and even insulted him for not supporting the UDA candidate. He challenged President Ruto to clarify whether the CS acted under his directive or independently.
Khalwale insisted that his loyalty to the President remains intact but warned that such political missteps could cost Ruto support in Kakamega ahead of the 2027 elections. “We respect you, Mr. President, but if you want votes in 2027, I’m the only one who can deliver Kakamega,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ryan Injendi, who lost the UDA ticket, accused Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi of meddling in the party primaries. Despite the setback, he congratulated the winner, David Ndakwa, urging him to continue serving the people of Malava in alignment with the government’s development agenda.
